As a couple planning your wedding, you have a desire and expectation that your wedding day is going to be the best day of your life. And it should be. And it will be. Just prepare yourself for the fact that it's probably also going to be the most stressful day of your life. Not the whole day. But certainly the first few hours.
By the way, this is one of the best reasons to work with a wedding planner- having an experienced, calming presence of an events industry professional there with you to alleviate some of your anxieties.
It's also the basis for today's advice about your photographer. When meeting with photographers to find the one who will ultimately capture your wedding, you should not only consider their portfolio. It's important, of course. But you also need to like this person.
Your wedding day is something of a marathon- between nine and 13 hours depending on the type of wedding you're going to have, if you have after party, and other factors. Your photographer will be there with you every step of the way, photographing every moment - both the planned, ceremonial staples of the wedding, like the vows, the first dance, the cake cutting, the speeches - but also the candid moments, such as during the best man speech when the bride leans into her husband and whispers in his ear: I can't believe he just said that.
And then the quieter, more intimate moments. There should be some level of comfort with the person documenting those fleeting instances that you otherwise might not even remember after the wedding without the assistance of photos.
So- again- make sure you like your photographer. Also, do an engagement shoot before the weddings. Several months before so the season of the engagement photos contrasts the season of the wedding photos.
Good luck.
The above photo is an excerpt from our FEATURE: "Closer", with Amanda Batula & Kyle Cooke from Bravo's hit reality series: "Summer House".
PHOTO CREDITS:
photography: "Sophisticated Weddings" Publisher, Steve Sendor
dress: Ines Di Santo for White House Bride
tuxedo: Alton Lane
accessories: Bridal Styles Boutique
hair & makeup: The Ambiance Bridal Salon